AUBURN - State Department of Criminal Justice funding will help protect child victims of sexual and physical assault in Cayuga County.
Standing with state Assemblyman Gary Finch, state Sen. Michael Nozzolio on Friday announced the $175,000 in funding to Cayuga Counseling Services, Inc. and county, city and law enforcement officials to help the growing Child Advocacy Center of Cayuga County find a home.
The money will be used to purchase a building that will house the CAC as well as the Sexual Assault Victims Advocate Resource - operated by umbrella organization Cayuga Counseling Services. While officials stated previously they are looking at 134 Genesee St., Auburn, for such a place, Executive Director Ray Bizzari said a final location has yet to be chosen.
“This is huge.” Bizzari said of the state investment. “This brings us right where we need to be.”
State legislation requires every county in the state to build a center dedicated to helping sexually or physically abused children. These centers are supposed to reduce the trauma that victims endure during the investigation process and get them the medical and mental help they need, all in one location.
While the wheels of the criminal justice system culminate in a courtroom, Nozzolio said justice is not always determined by the judiciary.
“It's my view, though, the imposing setting here is not the place to necessarily determine justice,” he said. “That place is somewhere that focuses on the needs of the victims,” and ultimately prevent, “the victimization of victims that occurs to ensure those that are victimized by a crime are not further traumatized by the process.”
The CAC will provide an atmosphere that allows children to feel safe and secure, District Attorney Jon Budelmann said. Interviews with victims to collect evidence will be recorded to better preserve their stories for the prosecution and keep them from being further traumatized.
With the help of a $30,000 donation from the Cayuga County Sheriff's Benevolent Association, the CAC will construct a state-of-the-art interrogation room equipped with monitoring and communication systems.
Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould said these children are innocent and have done nothing wrong to cause their abuse.
“This center will let them know they are innocent,” he said, “and give them their dignity back.”
The money will be used to purchase a building that will house the CAC as well as the Sexual Assault Victims Advocate Resource - operated by umbrella organization Cayuga Counseling Services. While officials stated previously they are looking at 134 Genesee St., Auburn, for such a place, Executive Director Ray Bizzari said a final location has yet to be chosen.
“This is huge.” Bizzari said of the state investment. “This brings us right where we need to be.”
State legislation requires every county in the state to build a center dedicated to helping sexually or physically abused children. These centers are supposed to reduce the trauma that victims endure during the investigation process and get them the medical and mental help they need, all in one location.
While the wheels of the criminal justice system culminate in a courtroom, Nozzolio said justice is not always determined by the judiciary.
“It's my view, though, the imposing setting here is not the place to necessarily determine justice,” he said. “That place is somewhere that focuses on the needs of the victims,” and ultimately prevent, “the victimization of victims that occurs to ensure those that are victimized by a crime are not further traumatized by the process.”
The CAC will provide an atmosphere that allows children to feel safe and secure, District Attorney Jon Budelmann said. Interviews with victims to collect evidence will be recorded to better preserve their stories for the prosecution and keep them from being further traumatized.
With the help of a $30,000 donation from the Cayuga County Sheriff's Benevolent Association, the CAC will construct a state-of-the-art interrogation room equipped with monitoring and communication systems.
Cayuga County Sheriff David Gould said these children are innocent and have done nothing wrong to cause their abuse.
“This center will let them know they are innocent,” he said, “and give them their dignity back.”
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